New Yorkers came out in droves for a chance to become overnight multi-millionaires on Monday (November 26), snapping up lottery tickets for the next Powerball lottery grand prize, a record $425 million (USD) dollar jackpot.
Powerball has not had a winner for two months.
The upcoming lottery draw takes place on Wednesday (November 28) night.
According to lottery officials, the $425 million record jackpot could be raised before Wednesday's drawing since big payouts tend to spur sales.
In New York City, flashy advertisements of the Powerball prize lured some residents to try their luck with the draw.
"I actually saw something about donating something for hurricane Sandy relief, so that's actually the first thing I thought of when he said 'the lucky ticket.' And then of course, something for my family and my friends. Maybe an apartment here in New York, so that would be good," shared Manko.
"If I don't win I'll just play another time. You'll never know when luck might come your way," said Dockins.
"Well, it's a game of chance. So I think as with everything in life, you kind of go into the lottery, thinking there is a possibility you won't win. But in case you do, it would be nice to bless other people, especially in this holiday season," Choa Yu said.
In March, three winning tickets shared the largest U.S. lottery jackpot, the $656 million Mega Millions drawing.
The previous top Powerball prize was $365 million, won in 2006 by ConAgra slaughterhouse workers in Nebraska.
The Powerball lottery is held in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.